Baekya patted Heumi's head with the tip of her wing.
Perhaps because of Heumi's siren traits, it seemed she could communicate with Baekya, the phoenix.
Rune watched the conversation between the animals and nodded once.
Baekya was leading Heumi better than expected.
It was a strange sight, like a chick teaching a fox.
'After all, the older one takes care of the younger one, I guess.'
Regardless, it was nice to see them getting along.
Rune stroked each of them fairly once and said,
"Wait here quietly. I'll be back soon."
Heumi looked disappointed but soon waved her hand determinedly.
"Yes! I'll wait here, Heumi!"
Ferdykion also chimed in.
"I'll be watching, so don't worry and come back."
In the warm atmosphere, Rune stood beside Christina.
Before casting the teleportation spell, Christina gently warned,
"It might be a bit blinding."
As soon as she finished speaking, a golden light surged before their eyes.
Without even a spell, the two figures vanished instantly.
Upon arrival, gold and mithril coins flowed beneath their feet.
It was almost better to swim than to stand.
Rune, who barely managed to keep his balance, looked around.
A mountain of gold made of golden waves and beautiful gems!
The dazzling golden light filled the golden plain.
Rune asked, and Christina, placing a hand on her hip, answered,
"Well, this is my treasure vault."
The treasure vault of a gold dragon lair!
Rune, who had forgotten how to speak at the sight, finally managed to open his mouth.
"So... this is all Christina's?"
A beautiful space, golden from floor to ceiling.
Not only gold coins and gold bars, but also the rare metal mithril, all kinds of gems and jewelry, blessed swords, and magical artifacts.
The variety of items piled up was beyond enumeration.
'These treasures must have been collected by gold dragons over generations, even though Christina manages them now.'
The space was so filled with gold that it seemed the gold dust would fly with each breath.
Christina, a bit embarrassed, brushed her long blonde hair and smiled.
"It's a bit messy because I haven't organized it for a few thousand years. Please understand."
'That's not the problem.'
Items and coins piled up everywhere, regardless of type.
Among them, gold coins were the cheapest.
However, the quantity was significant, burying his feet with each step.
Then, Christina took out a leather pouch from her waist and offered it.
"Take it. This is a gift from me."
It was a common leather pouch that didn't seem to fit the opulence of the place.
Until she spoke her next words.
"A gift for your first outing. This pouch is enchanted with a lightening spell to reduce its volume and weight."
Rune quickly reached out and took the pouch.
"A very useful item. Thanks."
Christina, answering with a smile, said,
"Ferdykion's lair has active residents forming a village. Especially, it's specialized in weapon crafting. If you find something good, feel free to buy it and check out the market."
"I've already filled the pouch with a reasonable amount. If you need more, take it."
Rune shook his head after slightly opening the pouch.
Though not comparable to Christina's treasure vault, the contents of the pouch could fill a five-story inn with gold and gems.
Actually, it was overflowing.
'I should definitely bring a gift for Christina when I return.'
The pouch, filled with coins, was so quiet that it seemed to have a noise-canceling spell on it.
This pouch was more precious than gold itself.
At that moment, Christina cast a flying spell on him.
"It would be inconvenient to walk. Flying would be easier."
Rune followed Christina and flew together.
'The end isn't in sight.'
At this point, it felt like a treasure island tour.
A sea of gold, colorful gems, artifact corals, and magical artifacts blessed by light.
Ancient gold coins and mithril coins, gifts from other races.
Even historically significant and ancient items.
It was impossible to list them all.
'Even if I picked up one item with my eyes closed, I could easily buy a small castle.'
Rune speculated that the most valuable treasures on the continent were gathered beneath his feet, and he could bet 50 scales on it.
Christina finally descended, seemingly reaching her desired location.
In a section distinctly separate from the golden ground, multicolored stones were piled up.
The smaller ones were the size of a fist, and the larger ones were the size of a face. They were mana stones.
They felt particularly out of place in this place where the scent of wealth was overwhelming.
Christina landed at the base of a small hill made of various types of mana stones.
"Now, we'll try mana sensing."
It referred to the method of distinguishing mana types based on the changes observed when mana was infused into mana stones.
'My original attribute should be darkness. But thanks to the fire seal I obtained, I should have added the fire attribute.'
Only then did Rune realize Christina's intention.
'...The purpose is to confirm my mana attributes.'
There is a concept of compatibility in attributes.
For example, if one has the darkness attribute, they are compatible with cold properties like ice and water.
If one has the fire attribute, they are compatible with the light attribute.
Depending on one's innate attribute, there are relatively easier attributes to master.
The reason for suddenly wanting to confirm this was obvious.
'Because I fused the fire mana without any resistance.'
Rune, who was looking up at Christina, feigned ignorance and asked,
"Infuse your mana into the mana stones piled here."
'Infuse mana into all the mana stones piled up here.'
It was a method only a dragon could think of, absurdly bold.
Nonetheless, since Rune was also a dragon, he didn't hesitate and immediately began.
Christina watched Rune manipulate his mana and was genuinely amazed.
'High-purity, stable mana.'
The manipulation of mana, the most basic of basics.
One could easily spot talent just by observing the flow.
The quality and quantity of mana, the harmony and richness of the circulating flow.
Going into more detail, each individual's ability was different.
'Just talent? No, it's more than that.'
Such near-perfect manipulation ability was astonishing.
Christina watched him intently, holding her breath.
'It feels like he has been practicing for a long time.'
Finally, the multicolored mana stones began to resonate and glow.
First, the darkness mana stones.
Then, the water attribute, compatible with darkness, and the fire attribute, influenced by the seal.
Lastly, the light attribute mana stones also shimmered. This was partly due to the fire seal, but mainly because of Christina's inherited magic.
Just as Rune was about to withdraw his mana,
Suddenly, other mana stones began to glow as if the fire was spreading.
"All attributes? How can this be...!"
Christina's voice was filled with surprise.
Rune, sensing her unusual reaction, was also puzzled.
Christina closed her mouth, looking confused.
After a moment of silence, she carefully began,
"Should I be happy about this...? I've never seen such a phenomenon in my life. So it's quite a shock."
'I haven't been this surprised since witnessing the power of Ishar, the Dragon Lord.'
A few lower-grade mana stones reacting would be normal.
But all the mana stones in this place were of the highest grade, legendary mana stones.
Christina was amazed for a reason.
'These high-and-mighty mana stones are responding as if they've met their true master...'
After a moment, Christina waved her hand, and some of the mana stones that reacted to Rune's mana floated into the air.
"Here, put them in your pouch."
"Of course. I intended to give you all the ones that reacted to your mana."
'That means... all the mana stones here are mine.'
Rune looked at the colorful hill of mana stones.
Chapter 38: The Red Dragon's Lair
'It would have been nice to take them all.'
The number of mana stones Christina had selected for him was not small.
But he was a bit disappointed that he couldn't put the entire hill into his pouch.
Christina, as if reading his thoughts, revealed a smile.
"While you're away at Ferdykion's lair, I'll put the other mana stones in your room."
"Thanks, I appreciate it."
Rune took out his pouch and opened it.
"I'll take them gratefully."
He expressed his gratitude once more for her generous support.
Then, the floating mana stones were all sucked into the pouch.
'It feels a bit fuller now.'
Unfortunately, the pouch had its limits.
"By the way, it's best to keep the fact that you can handle all attributes a secret for now."
'I didn't plan to reveal it, but...'
Rune, who didn't think it necessary to hide, asked curiously.
"Because there will be people who will covet the power you possess, especially since you're still young."
"People who try to obtain others' power for their own purposes."
People who use their power to control others and make them do their bidding.
They bow and scrape to those stronger than themselves but are cruel to the weak.
Or those who, being weak themselves, believe that the powerful should naturally give up their power.
There were many such troublesome people.
"I don't want you to experience such ugly greed while you're still young. Besides, you are strong enough. You can achieve what you want without revealing all your power."
Christina's blue eyes were filled with a sense of dizziness as she spoke gently.
"Moreover, hidden power can also serve as a trump card later."
This was probably a lesson she had learned through her long life.
"...Thanks for telling me. I'll keep it in mind."
The more beautiful and sweet the fruit, the more people want it.
To inform a young hatchling who didn't yet understand this fact.
Christina must have brought Rune here for that reason.
After watching him carefully secure the pouch, Christina used the teleportation spell again.
"Ah! Brother, you're back?"